Training for Top of Utah 2011

I've had a cold all weekend and it's draining me of energy...probably shouldn't have run my 18 miler on Saturday...but hey I have to be ready for the marathon...even if it kills me.

Tread run and wore my HR monitor just to see how the ticker is holding up...and was happily surprised how low it stayed...during first 30 minutes it didn't even get over 130 and the very most it got up to at the end was 138. Eased into this run by starting out @ a #4 and gradually upping it to 6.5. 

Next run Wednesday Tempo run...7 miler I think...

Afternoon run...sunny and a few clouds here and there...low 50's with some wind.

Decided to do this run on the Sno Valley trail to take it easy on my legs...drove by the high school and it the track was empty but I knew that track practice would start shortly and I didn't really want to be dealing with people on the track.

Haven't been sleeping as long as I should lately getting to bed late and getting up by 5 is not good for your body. Plus add in a cold that I'm just getting over...

From the start I could tell this would be a tough run...and it was...warmed up and then from the golf course started the run...very slight uphill as you go to North Bend but at least it was wind neutral...at least that's what I thought until I did the turnaround and it was definitely breezy in my face the whole way back. Had to work hard...harder than I should have probably for a tempo run. At the end just trying to come in on pace was like running a 10K. Pace was supposed to be 7:35...

Splits:8:54, 7:36, 7:32, 7:35, 7:37, 7:33, 7:35, 7:36, 9:38 and boy was I done in! Walked for a quarter mile after cooldown....

Treadmill run to keep from getting chilled...trying to get rid of this stupid cold! Easy runner starting @ 4 on the machine and finishing @ 6.8 then cooldown and walk until I hit 1000 calories burnt.

Wore the HR monitor and it stayed under 140 the whole run...Sweet!

Still planning my 20 miler for Sat. morning EARLY, EARLY so I don't have to miss any of conference...

Wow! This run just plain hurt at the end...felt like it was the end of a real marathon...

Didn't get an early start like I planned so missed conference...I'll catch that session later.

Kind of glad I didn't start earlier because the weather was crappy when I started but cleared up a bit about halfway through. Started at RR area...ran around the Snoqualmie loop by Kinghorns then to rivierview park for water...then off to mill pond rd  to Centennial park to fuel up @ 6 miles. Then off to Grandma's house in NB just off the SVT. Picked up a water bottle to carry for a ways so I could fuel along the way. Continue on SVT and went under I-90 for a little over a mile(uphill there) and turned, came back. That part of SVT was gorgeous running right by a river and nice scenery. Went to the NB Library for water and finished off my power bar there. That was 15.5 miles. Then back to Centennial for water and another lap there and finally back to the car through town...

So happy no long run next week...just 4 9 milers.

Avg pace was on schedule today @ 8:45 even. Wore my HR monitor(which was a mistake) and avg. was only 143 for the full 20. SWEET! Bad part was it wore another hole in my chest...Note to self...if you are going on a long run...DO NOT wear HR monitor! I lubed up the important parts before leaving on this run but forgot about the nipples...Ouch! That just plain hurts in the hot water shower!! 

Glad this one is in the books and hope the next 3 20 milers are easier...